Note: I have previously taken a hiatus from writing, focusing on some personal goals. I apologize if this has been an inconvenience in reading what I have written. I would like to thank my readers for their support and invite them to continue reading the story or stories I plan to write. I plan to try my best at publishing chapters on a regular basis.

Thank you.

Chapter 5: Rain and Glory

When Kevin appeared in Krookville, he found the town bustling with people. All around him people moved here and there, talking and preparing. He jostled through people, making his way to where he remembered the south road to be. The houses in the village ended but the crowd didn’t. The sheer number of people was amazing, the throng stretched out for a mile outside of town along the south road.

Kevin stood and waited for a few minutes, searching the crowd. He saw many different people wearing many different outfits from many different races. He saw a band of Alfs, wearing huge goggles that fitted their large eyes perfectly.

They all wore scarves of red cloth and black leather armor. Kevin figured it was a guild outfit of some kind. There was also a pair of Bresh nearby wearing large brimmed straw hats. They wore robes that reminded Kevin of Kimono’s.

Suddenly Kevin found a familiar face. Neisha appeared in the crowd, she looked different today. Her human form wore a tight, dark leather armor. Her long jet black hair was tied into a ponytail, rather than the bun she had worn yesterday. She looked about and then caught sight of Kevin. Smiling brightly, she walked towards him. She was followed by another, a human male. He wore a dark red hooded robe over leather armor with twin daggers tucked into his broad leather belt.

“Hey, Kevin.” Niesha greeted him as they met in the crowd.

“Hey, Niesha.” Kevin smiled back, he looked over her shoulder to the guy under the hood. He wore an expression of mild boredom. “Hey.” He greeted the newcomer.

“Hey,” the newcomer nodded to Kevin.

“This is Feral,” Neisha introduced the hooded guy. “He’s a friend of mine, we quest together.” She said nervously.

“Hey Feral,” Kevin supposed that was short for a username, “I’m Kevin.”

“Nice to meet you.” He said simply.

“Where’s Roman?” Kevin asked Neisha.

“I don’t know. He should be here soon.” Neisha said. Just then, Roman stepped out of the crowd and strode to the trio. Regis was behind him.

“Hey team,” Roman smiled at them and looked about. “Quite a turn out, huh?”

“Yeah, I didn’t expect your guild to be this big.” Kevin said.

“It isn’t,” Regis said with a frown. “Rumour got out about our plan and a whole bunch of guilds decided to drop in on our battle.”

“Well, at least we’ll have a better chance at winning.” Roland smiled weakly. Regis shook his head in disgust.

“I’m going to coordinate with the other guild masters. I’ll see you on the battlefield.” Regis said before punching Roman in the shoulder and exiting into the crowd.

“What now?” Neisha asked.

“We’ll join our guild on the right side of the south road, that’s where we are grouping.” Roman said.

“Alright,” Niesha said. They started walking that way in a group.

“You ever been in a battle this large, Feral?” Kevin asked.

Feral shook his head. “I don’t think anyone has, not since the game started last year.”

“Wow, we’re making history.” Kevin laughed.

“Yeah, the most overrun enemy in the history of the game, look at all the people. The Devils don’t stand a chance.” Roman said triumphantly.

“Actually, they will probably be making sure it’s an even fight.” Feral said from behind. Kevin, Roman, and Niesha all turned around.

“What do you mean?” Roman asked, “Who’s they?”

“The moderators of the game,” Feral explained, “My brother is one. He said they would be monitoring the game and making sure this battle would be a fair fight.”

“That’s not fair!” Roman was outraged. “We all banded together to fight so we could take back that town!”

“Yeah, and they don’t want the new race of the game, eliminated in one fell swoop.” Feral shrugged.

“So no matter what, we could fail?” Roman was furious. “Even with our huge army!? That’s bull****! How are they doing it?”

“I’m not supposed to say anything, but Moderators have created characters of high ranking in the Devils army. My brother is one, he’s in charge of the Carnage Cartel within the ranks of Devils. He said the Moderators are controlling the army and are going to colonize the world with the new race. They aren’t just invading here, they are invading all around the mountain range. I think they created the race deep in the caverns below the mountains.”

“So this is just one force of many.” Kevin stated. This complicated things, but Kevin supposed it was to be expected. “So how are they going to manipulate this battle?”

“I don’t know.” Feral said, “They have probably gotten a few Moderators together in the town to defend it, bulking up the ranks.”

“So we’re up against other players, huh?” Roman smacked a closed fist into his open palm, “Well, we’ll show them not to mess with the true players of this game. I haven’t been playing this game all this time for a few ***holes to screw up this beautiful world.”

Kevin looked to Feral, but he didn’t seem offended by the comment. He couldn’t understand why the developers of the world would suddenly manipulate it so much after being absent for a year. Boredom? That wasn’t fair for the AI that lived inside this world. Not at all. Many had died in sacking of the town. Why would they allow that to happen after the hard work that went into making these AI? They weren’t programs anymore, they were actual intelligent beings now.

“Ready, Kevin?” Roman asked Kevin.

“I don’t know, this whole thing doesn’t seem right.” Kevin said, suddenly thinking about what Karen had been so upset about. These AI were dieing for what? The experience of playing in this world?

“No, it isn’t. But we need to fight this to stop it, or they’ll just continue on and destroy more towns and villages. We need to be the wall they hit, the wall that topples over onto them and stops them for good.”

“I guess you’re right,” Kevin said grudgingly. He didn’t feel much better, however.

“Come on, we’re starting to move out.” Roman waved his hand and the group followed.

Kevin and the group were fifteen minutes out when Roman took Kevin aside from the conversation the others were having about battlefield tactics.

“So, I’ve noticed you’re kind of all over the place when it comes to your skills.” Roman said quietly, “What exactly are you going to focus on? If you want to become a battlefield asset, you’ll have to pick something and stick with it. Are you a mage or a melee fighter?”

“Well, I want to wield magic, but I don’t want to be useless when I run out of Mana.” Kevin said, “I plan on using a sword, but also using magic regularly.”

“That’s kind of difficult to start out with.” Roman said hesitantly, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just be a mage with lots of Mana potions handy?”

“I don’t have the money to buy those.”

“Yeah, that’s what makes mages so hard to start out as. It’s a slow process of doing missions and gathering the funds for battling.”

“I’ll figure it out,” Kevin said shortly. He was starting to get annoyed, this was his game experience and he wasn’t going to have someone tell him how to go about it.

“Alright,” Roman held his hands up. He had gotten the message. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks,” Kevin felt bad about the little outburst, but he was going to do this his way. He was tired of being pushed around in the real world, and he wasn’t going to be influenced the same way here in his new world.

The hike to Denhall seemed to take forever, but they eventually came upon the ruins of the village, already besieged by rain and gusting winds. A storm front had moved in out of nowhere and had soaked everything. The riders on winged beasts that accompanied the army struggled to stay on course through the rain and gusts of wind. The vast army of defenders went past the old battlefield from the previous day, scars and signs of battle still evident upon the churned earth and broken trees. The line suddenly stopped and there seemed to be a commotion up front.

Roman slapped Kevin on the shoulder and stepped through the crowd, indicating Kevin to follow him up to the frontline. The others followed them through the throng. Kevin emerged into the front line where Regis was arguing with two others. One was a man in voluminous red robes, the other a man wearing hooded leather armor with a great bow strapped across his shoulder.

“-not going in there.” Kevin caught what the robed man was saying as they approached.

“Look, it’s deserted. They must have fled back into the mountains at the sight of our army.” Said the archer. Kevin looked upon the village to see that it looked deserted. Nothing moved in the streets, it’s burnt out homes hollow and empty.

“What if it’s a trap?” The robed mage demanded, “I’m not taking my guild in there.”

“Fine,” Regis said defiantly, “My guild will claim the ground then.” Regis signalled and the Honorbound Sentinels separated from the bulk of the group and started moving forward. Roman skipped up to stand with his Guild Master, Kevin followed.

“We will too,” The archer said, and with a wave another chunk of the army started to move forward. The rest of the people assembled took up steps as everyone started moving toward the village. Kevin looked back to see the mage Guild Master swear under his breath and follow along, sulking.

They came into the village, empty and half burned houses on either side, glistening in the soaking rain that pelted the earth. There were no signs of Devils or creatures of any kind. The front line slowed to a cautious walk and proceeded through the main street of the village, waiting for something, anything. They cautiously made their way through the entire village, finally nearing the end of the main street that trailed off into a road that led into the mountain range.

“Where do you think they are in the mountains?” Roman asked Regis as they walked closer to the end of houses so they could get a better look at the road that led to the distant mountain passes.

“I don’t-“ Regis was saying when two robed devils stepped out of ruined homes on either side of the street. They appeared suddenly, accompanied each by a hulking Devil armored with grievous dark steel and heavy weapons forged into cruel and malignant shapes. The robed devils each wielded a strange and long staff, easily twice their height. Instead of brandishing them as weapons, they stopped at the main street, and without hesitating, planted one end of the staff into the earth and raised them like banners.

“You’re about to find ruin and wreckage, pitiful creatures.” One armored Devil spat as the robed devils yelled a word of power above the din of the army behind Kevin.

It happened suddenly. One minute the road into the mountains could be seen in the distance, then, between the bare banners, a flash of light lit up like a sheet between them and Kevin found himself looking into the fiery depths of hell. Magma oozed and lit up caverns in the distance, but that was quickly overshadowed by the vast amount of Devils and dark creatures emerging from the cavern. The first to emerge from the cavern, dipping under the teleportation gate, was four giant, magma veined, figures seemingly made out of black rock. They looked like stout humans made out of molten rock, but they were as tall as some of the ruined houses surrounding them.

They emerged out of the gate amongst the mist that rose around them as the heat from the depths of the cavern collided with the cold air from the rain pounding down around them. Behind the steaming behemoths came a vast amount of Devils bearing grotesque and evil looking weapons and armor.

“Stop them!” Regis yelled, but nobody moved as the two story tall golems flexed their rock solid arms and stepped toward the puny figures before them. Steam rose from the magma veins winding through their bodies. A bow string sounded from Kevin’s right as the Guild Master archer let loose an arrow at one of the Devils holding the banners. It pierced the Devil in the side and it howled before turning to ash and blowing away in the wind. The banner still stood though, and by then Devils began pouring out at least twenty per second, all charging towards Kevin and the rest of the army behind them.

“Stand fast!” Regis yelled, with just enough time to unsheathe his greatsword from his back before the lumbering Golems hit the first ranks of the army. Accompanied by the armoured Devils wielding their grievous weapons, the golems swung their limbs, kicking and punching, sending groups of people flying into the air.

Kevin had just enough time to use his shielding spell before getting hit by a large molten hand sending him tumbling head over heels into the ruins of a tavern. He hit something and tumbled into darkness and rubble.

“****,” He swore as he began gingerly picking himself up. Amazingly his shield was still up, the ruined room he found himself in was faintly lit by the blue hue of his spell shield. He waded through the broken wood and charred furniture as he heard the sound of battle outside. Screams and challenges, swearing and defiance.

He got out of the room, kicking apart a wooden door and looked down the hallway to the open front of the tavern to see the massive Golems tearing through the ranks of the army amassed in the street. It was utter chaos. The Devils pouring through the gate clashed with those who had not been hit by the golems with a crunch of steel on steel.

“The gate!” Kevin said under his breath. They had to stop it before more devils came into village. They would quickly over run the massive army they had formed if they couldn’t close it. Kevin looked behind him to the back of the tavern. He ran down the dark hall, jumping over debris and still smoking furniture. He wheeled around the corner at the end and found what used to be the kitchen. The roof was burnt off of half the kitchen and a wall had collapsed leading out the back of the structure.

Kevin ran and jumped off of a stove, hopping over the ruin of the wall and out into the back yard of the Tavern. The stone wall of the village curved a few houses down toward the end of the main road where the gate had been set up. Kevin ran and jumped over the fences of the yards between him and the curve. He followed the wall in its curve and jumped a few more fences before sidling up to the wall of the house nearest the street. He peeked out and saw the remaining robed Devil looking on with glee as he watched the wreck and ruin made by the golems in the distance down the street.

He was alone, but only a few feet from him the gate poured forth devils in abundance as they continued moving forward into the village. Kevin had one chance for this, and it was now before this got any worse. He summoned his new sword from Destiny and held it firm in his grip as he worked up the guts to do this. He was behind enemy lines, about to charge into a mass of enemies. He swallowed hard, looking at the robes he was wearing. He hadn’t even got new equipment yet, and he was doing this?

He shook his head, he had to do this before the devils crowded up between him and the gate. He waited a moment more, thinking what spells would serve him best. Stepping back behind the wall, he renewed his shield spell and summoned his molten cat.

“I’m going to have to name you pretty soon,” He whispered to the cat as he mounted up. Readying his cat behind the wall to charge out into the street, he steadied himself in the saddle. Mist and smoke rose from the cat, just like the golems tearing up the army in the street. “How about Brimstone?” He asked the cat. It turned its head around and snorted smoke into the chill air. Kevin was surprised and chuckled. He hadn’t expected a response. “I’ll take that as a yes then. Let’s go tear up some devils, Brimstone.” The cat looked ahead and snorted again, the smoke washing across Kevin’s face as it was blown by the cold wind. He readied his sword and then kicked at Brimstone.

With an explosion of speed and power, Kevin and Brimstone burst out from behind the wall and charged across the back yard of the house towards the street. Adrenaline flooded Kevin as he was thrust towards the battle. Brimstone approached the fence bordering the street and burst through it, sending wood flying outwards.

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The sound of the fence exploding made the robed Devil jump and he looked upon the flash of Brimstone right before the cat’s jaws closed upon its face and crunched its head with an audible sound of bones cracking. Kevin winced upon the steed, sincerely hoping that it wasn’t an actual moderator.

The wince was unfortunate, because the devils coming out of the gate had heard the fence smash too and were now swarming towards Kevin. Luckily they too winced at the sight of their comrade getting his head crushed by the jaws of the great cat. Kevin panicked and started hacking with his sword at the pole holding the gate together. Nothing happened though, the blade made some marks in the pole, but couldn’t cut through the thick material it was made of. The Devils came at him and Brimstone hissed out fire and smoke. It didn’t harm the devils, however, but they did jump back at the sight of the cat’s maw. Kevin had an idea as he sat upon Brimstone right then.

“Brimstone, bite through the pole!” He screamed before unleashing lightning with his free hand. He didn’t know whether the cat would understand him, but it was worth a shot.

Suddenly he was wrenched around as Brimstone lurched toward the pole and clamped its jaws around it. The great cat twisted its head violently, trying to break through the pole. Devils came at Kevin while he desperately shot lightning at them to ward them away. Devils flew here and there as they got hit, sometimes groups turning to ash as the lightning jumped between them in clusters. A spear came flying out of nowhere and hit Kevin square in the chest. It bounced off his spell shield but sent him nearly toppling out of the saddle of Brimstone.

Righting himself in the saddle, Kevin looked in horror as the Devils reached him and Brimstone. He had time to swing his sword to deflect a thrusting spear when a large cracking sound filled the air and then “BOOOM.”

He was suddenly flying through the air, landing hard on the ground. Then he flew into the air again before getting crushed under an enormous weight. It nearly snapped him in half before the weight suddenly lifted off of him. A moment’s pause allowed him to find himself still strapped to Brimstone nearly twenty feet from where he had originally been fighting the Devils. He was lying on his side, but was suddenly lifted into the air again as Brimstone got to its feet. He realized he had been rolling on the ground with Brimstone. He looked at the street to see Devils sprawled everywhere, slowly standing up after being flung away from the gate.

Kevin looked at the gate to see it now empty, nothing was there except a broken pole on one side of the street and a whole one on the other. The portal had been broken. The devils got up and looked in amazement at the broken portal, then back to Kevin and Brimstone. Brimstone hissed at them again, but Kevin pulled him back and they retreated through the backyards of the village. Brimstone just charged through the fences rather than leaping over them, and they made their way past the tavern and further into the village.

Kevin suddenly turned Brimstone back towards the street and they emerged from the houses near the frontline of the battle raging there. The Golems had charged into the far ranks of the defending army and was now being challenged by booming bursts of lightning and spells of all kinds.

“Ready Brimstone?” Kevin asked the great cat. It responded by charging forward and jumping into a group of Devils pushing at the front line of the army. Devils scattered at the sight of the molten cat crushing bones and snapping limbs with its great jaws, and the sword wielding and lightning throwing rider atop it. It didn’t matter though, the cat rampaged through the battlefield, tearing and biting. Kevin flung lightning at the devils, sending them flying into their comrades. Kevin became chaos on the battlefield. The others fighting for the defenders looked in awe as he tore through the Devil’s ranks.

Kevin dodged a thrown axe and hurled another bolt before he suddenly fought a wave of dizziness. He had used too much magic. Fighting to keep his head clear, he brandished his sword and fought harder than ever to deflect blows from himself and Brimstone. Without magic, however, the devils began to attack harder than ever and they swarmed towards the cat and rider.

“Brimstone, get out of here!” Kevin screamed. The cat perked and then with a mighty leap, sending Kevin and the cat flying high, it landed on top of a crumbling roof. The tiles fell beneath the giant cat’s massive weight and Brimstone scrambled to stay upright. A giant roar rose from the battlefield and the defenders of the village charged in anew, tearing apart the last of the devils. Kevin watched the battlefield as Brimstone kept trying to keep upright on the crumbling roof.

Brimstone then leapt to a more stable part of the roof and Kevin looked farther out to the last of the Golems. It was being blasted by a wave of water dancing through the sky. Some mage must have been controlling the water as it danced through the sky to swoop upon and douse the Golem. It stumbled backwards, steam pouring from its dimming veins. The Golem was slowing down, as though the fire that powered it was being diminished. The wave of water gathered into an orb in the sky and then shot through the sky like a hovering stream, blasting the golem one last time before it fell to the ground in a crumble of steaming rock.

Then, the battle was over. The last of the Devils had been turned to ash and the village was silent once more. The street had heaps of ash piled up on it, nearly chest deep in some areas.

“Wow, we did it.” Kevin patted Brimstone. It let out a deep rumble in response, steam filling the air before its mouth. Kevin looked at the great cat with wonder and amusement. Could this cat be an AI as well? An intelligent program just like Karen’s late friend?

The thought escaped him as a great cheer rose through the air from the defending army. Kevin was about to add his voice to it when he realized that the whole army was gathered in front of him and pointing at him. They were cheering him. What?

Kevin was confused. He had just done what he could to help. He raised his sword to salute the crowd and they cheered even harder, celebrating the end of the battle. Kevin searched for familiar faces in the crowd, but couldn’t find any. A few moments of cheers passed before flashes of light permeated the crowd. Other players were now teleporting into the village, probably the ones who had died previously in battle. Now that they had liberated the village, they could teleport there safely. Kevin searched the crowd, looking at each new flash of light, seeing who was being teleported. After a few minutes he found Roman. He waved until Roman saw him and then made Brimstone jump down from the roof and make his way through the crowd. The crowd parted as people clapped and cheered for him.

Kevin’s face turned red as he continued on. He found Roman with Regis and Feral, they were chatting together and looking back at Kevin. Kevin finally approached atop Brimstone and he saw respect on the faces of all three.

“Sounds like you won this battle for us, buddy,” Roman said. “Feral saw you take out the portal before he got killed.”

“I just did what I figured was best.” Kevin waved off the compliment.

“You turned this battle around,” Feral spoke up, “That was impressive. Everyone is cheering for you.”

Kevin felt uncomfortable with all the praise. “What now?” Roman looked to Regis and Regis shrugged.

“We establish a camp? I’m sure we can get some AI guild members to station here and create a lookout while they rebuild.”

“Sounds good,” Roman agreed, “But what of the other spots where the Devils are invading?”

“We can only do so much at a time. Other guilds might be fighting them right now. We don’t know.” Regis said.

“Where’s Neisha?” Kevin asked.

“She didn’t want to come back here. She didn’t last long in the fight, and I think she’s feeling a bit frustrated.” Feral explained.

“Oh,” Kevin said, “Alright.” Kevin was disappointed. Feral stared at Kevin and seemed to understand. Feral frowned. Kevin stared back at Feral and a moment of understanding passed between them. Kevin could tell Feral saw his true emotions, his attraction to Neisha, and understood that Feral must have felt the same. “I’m going to go.” Kevin announced, “Let me know when we strike next, Roman.”

“Oh, will do.” Roman looked disappointed, but waved. So did Regis.

Kevin whipped Brimstone around and guided him away through the crowd. Feral stared at him as he rode off.

Kevin had exited the village along the road leading into the mountains, following the road. He didn’t really have a destination. He didn’t know exactly where he was in the world, anyhow. He just enjoyed the clamor of the army dying away, leaving only the sound of the blowing wind and the pouring rain.

He had seen a lot of conflict lately, and even though he had been surprisingly good at fighting, he was starting to dislike it. He came to this world to explore and enjoy it, not fight constantly. He rode with Brimstone for about an hour, mindlessly following the road and watching the landscape go by. At the end of the hour he found himself at the foot of the mountains, the road leading into a pass at the foot of a huge cliff.

Kevin just continued on, cheering his mood at the sight of the large cliffs, soaring mountains, and small waterfalls caused by the unrelenting rain. Time passed as he delved further into the mountains. The wind died down and the rain slowed to a sparse drizzle. Kevin followed the road into a forest. The road followed a now raging river that wound through the mountains. Brimstone seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, perking its ears to sounds in the forest. Kevin saw a group of deer dart from the road. Brimstone flinched, but resisted chasing the deer.

Kevin turned randomly at forks in the road, following paths that seemed to wind and split off at random. As they followed the paths through the forest, Kevin pondered this world. They had encorporated wildlife and all sorts of creatures, as well as certain behaviours for them all. Were the animals AI as well, or was there varying creatures, a select few who were truly AI? The work to make this all so real must have been hard. It must have taken years and years. The thought of the complexities involved made Kevin dizzy thinking about it. He then truly appreciated the work going into making this world.

How many other worlds out there existed in VR’s? Each another world in its own. Were they all as immense and complex as this one?

He was deep into this thought when Brimstone stopped and sniffed the air. Kevin looked around to find himself at the foot of a pool of water being fed water from a tall waterfall. The path led by the pond, and on the other side of the path was a clearing with a single tree growing in the middle. It was short for a tree in this forest, only two stories tall, but it was unique. A doorway led inside the tree, with an opening on the second floor leading to a balcony made out of bunched tree limbs. Vines hung down from the top of the tree, draping all around the clearing. They also crept along the outside of the tree, forming drapes over the doorways leading into the tree at the base and outside the tree on the balcony.

“It’s like a house made from a tree.” Kevin wondered out loud. Brimstone rumbled in reply. Kevin wondered whether to go inside and check it out when a woman exited the base of the tree.

Her hair was as white as snow, though she had a middle aged and beautiful look to her. Her skin was fair and smooth, with a voluptuous figure. She wore a dark robe, and wore a large wide brimmed hat, much like the common witch’s hat people would wear for Halloween.

“Hello,” She said in a deep sultry voice. She looked in amazement at Brimstone. “What manner of creature is that?”

“Hi,” Kevin said, he was getting used to meeting unique people. “His name is Brimstone.” He didn’t know what else to say.

The woman laughed in delight and padded up on her bare feet, prancing like a deer, to touch Brimstone’s nose with a single finger. Brimstone smelled her finger curiously. The lady laughed again and ran the finger down the side of Brimstone’s rocky face. It closed its eyes and seemed to enjoy her touch, a low rumble emitted from his belly.

Kevin smiled. “I’m Kevin.”

The woman looked up at him and smiled, “I am Eva.”

“You live here?”

“I do,” She said as she gazed at Brimstone, clearly enthralled at his sight. “I have been here a long time. This is my place in the world.”

“Have you ever left?” Kevin asked, confused.

“Not since I came here,” She said.

“And when was that?”

“I don’t know.” She said mysteriously. She patted Brimstones head.

“You don’t know?” Kevin asked.

“Nope. I have not bothered to keep track of the days, months, or years.”

“Huh,” Kevin said.

“Where do you come from?” She asked suddenly, tearing her eyes from Brimstone to Kevin.

“I come from beyond the mountains,” Kevin said, not knowing how to explain.

“Ah, I see.” She said, “What is new out there in the world?”

“Devils have emerged from the depths of the mountains. They are invading villages along the foothills.” Kevin explained. “Have you seen any?”

“No.” She shook her head, her hair flowing down her back. “I don’t know what these ‘Devils’ are.”

“Red skinned, pointy horns?” Kevin asked. Eva just shook her head.

“They are dangerous,” Kevin said, “It might be dangerous for you here.”

Eva laughed again and shook her head. “I will be fine. I have my ways.”

Kevin looked into her eyes. There was no innocence there, only confidence. He didn’t argue with her. Somehow he knew that she was telling the truth. Who was this woman?

“It is pretty here,” He said looking at the waterfall falling from the towering cliff above.

“Do you like it? I love it, it is the best home I have ever had.” She smiled.

“Where else have you lived?”

“Oh, many places. I lived in the plains with the Bresh once, as well as the great caverns where you come from.” She said. It took Kevin a moment to realize what she was talking about.

“I don’t blame you for settling here. It is magical.” He said.

“Well you can visit anytime.” She smiled. “Though an adventurer like you is unlikely to find it again. You should stay!”

“I can’t, unfortunately.” He said smiling, “But I will come back, for sure.”

“Make sure to bring your Kitty.” She said playfully, stroking the hide of the cat.

“I will,” He laughed. “Destiny, is this place available for teleportation?”

“Yes. It is called Eva’s Place.” Destinys voice rang out.

“Oooh,” Eva said. “You have a pretty voice, Destiny.”

“Thank you, Eva!” Destiny said. Kevin’s eyes went wide, she could hear Destiny?”

“Who are you?” Eva said, talking to the air above her.

“I am Kevin’s VR AI. I assist him in his VR and help him with various tasks.”

“Veee Are Aye Eye?” Eva asked, confused.

“Uh, it’s hard to explain, Eva.” Kevin said, amazed she could communicate with Destiny and slightly alarmed. “Destiny, what time is it?”

“It is 2:37 AM, currently.” Destiny informed him.

“Oh boy,” Kevin winced, he was going to be tired tomorrow. He turned to Eva, “I have to go, Eva. I’ll be back though, if you’ll have me?”

“Of course!” She smiled. “Next time you come, you’ll have to let me know what a vee are aye eye is. And bring your cat thing!”

“Yeah,” Kevin said sheepishly, “I will. Goodbye Eva.”

“Farewell.” She said waving at Brimstone.

“Destiny, please deactivate the VR.” Kevin announced.

“Yes, Master.” Destiny said. A moment later he took off the VR unit and looked about his room. His clock confirmed the time and he groaned. Grabbing something to eat, he ate and quickly grabbed what little sleep he could.